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Clinical applications of proton therapy. Experiences and ongoing studies
J L Habrand1, P Schlienger, L Schwartz
1Centre de Protonthérapie d'Orsay, Centre Universitaire, France.
Radiation and Environmental Biophysics
|March 1, 1995
Summary
Proton therapy demonstrates significant success in treating specific tumors like choroidal melanomas and skull base chordomas, offering high local control and survival rates with minimal toxicity. This advanced radiation technique is particularly beneficial for tumors near critical structures.
Area of Science:
- Radiation Oncology
- Medical Physics
- Oncology
Background:
- Proton therapy is an advanced radiation technique that offers precise dose delivery.
- It is particularly advantageous for treating tumors near critical radiosensitive structures.
- Conventional radiotherapy often struggles with dose escalation in these challenging locations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the clinical applications and outcomes of proton therapy for specific tumor types.
- To highlight the efficacy and safety of proton therapy in managing difficult-to-treat cancers.
- To summarize ongoing research and future directions in proton therapy.
Main Methods:
- Review of clinical data from over 13,000 patients treated with proton therapy in the USA, Europe, and Japan.
- Analysis of outcomes for specific indications including choroidal melanomas, and base of skull/cervical spine chondrosarcomas and chordomas.
- Inclusion of data from ongoing studies on prostate, head and neck carcinomas, and intracranial tumors.
Main Results:
- Excellent 5-year local control (98%) achieved in choroidal melanomas with preserved vision in about half of patients.
- High long-term survival rates (84%-94%) for low-grade chondrosarcomas and chordomas of the skull base and spine when combined with maximal resection.
- Low toxicity profiles observed across documented clinical indications.
Conclusions:
- Proton therapy is a highly effective treatment modality for specific radioresistant tumors, especially those adjacent to critical structures.
- It offers significant advantages over conventional photon therapy in terms of local control, survival, and toxicity.
- Further research and clinical trials are expanding its application to other cancer types, including prostate and head and neck cancers.